NFPA Journal - Fall 2023 - 70

NFPA Research The Reports
properties since 1999 indicates that the
number of annual fires was at its peak in
2014 (4,226). The annual number of fires
in these properties has steadily declined
since that year with the sharp drop-off
occurring in 2020.
Fires in dormitory-type property structures
were somewhat more common on
weekends than during the week. Saturday
and Sunday were the peak days for these
fires (15 percent and 16 percent, respectively).
However, the fires that occurred
on weekdays generally accounted for
larger shares of injuries. This may
potentially be because some occupants
are away from these residences on weekends
and there is a greater occupancy of
residences during the week.
The peak time of day for fires in dormitory-type
properties was between 4
p.m. and midnight; over half of the fires
occurred during this time (54 percent).
Fires were least likely to occur between
midnight and 8 a.m., but these fires
accounted for disproportionate shares of
the injuries and direct property damage.
Occupants are more likely to be asleep
during fires in the overnight hours, providing
more time for fires to spread and
become more destructive.
February, September, and October
were the peak months for fires in dormitory-type
properties, and the lowest
number of fires was recorded in June and
July. Direct property damage was disproportionately
high relative to the share of
fires in January, May, and August when
dormitory-type properties have lower
occupancy. This was not true, however,
for July, which saw the fewest fires.
Leading causes and factors
Cooking equipment was involved in
nearly nine out of 10 reported fires in
dormitory-type properties (86 percent).
Although cooking equipment was
involved in most of the fires, fires with
other causes were responsible for disproportionately
larger shares of the direct
property damage. Intentionally set fires
accounted for 27 percent of the property
damage. Fires involving heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning equipment and
those involving electrical distribution,
70 | NFPA JOURNAL * FALL 2023
lighting, and power transfer equipment
accounted for 24 percent and 19 percent
of the fires, respectively.
Unattended equipment was the most
common factor that contributed to the
ignition of these fires. Unattended equipment
was a factor in roughly one quarter
(24 percent) of all the fires, and these
fires accounted for one in 10 (10 percent)
of the civilian injuries and 6 percent of
the property damage.
Unclassified misuse of a material or
product was a factor in 15 percent of
the fires and accounted for more than
a fifth (22 percent) of the civilian injuries.
Abandoned or discarded materials
were a factor in 12 percent of the fires
but none of the civilian injuries. A heat
source that was too close to combustible
materials was a factor in 7 percent of
these fires but was responsible for 27
percent of the injuries.
Radiated heat from operating equipment
and unclassified heat from powered
equipment were the leading heat sources
in these fires. Radiated or conducted heat
from operating equipment provided the
heat source for approximately one-third
(33 percent) of these fires, while approximately
three in 10 fires (31 percent) were
Findings at
a Glance
U.S. fire departments
responded to an estimated
average of
3,379 structure fires in
dormitories, fraternity
houses, sorority houses,
and barracks each year
during 2017-2021.
Fires in dormitory-type
properties caused an
annual average of 23
civilian injuries and
$12 million in direct
property damage
during that period.
There was an average
of two civilian fatalities
per year over the fiveyear
period.
Most of these fires
occurred in unclassified
dormitory-type
started by unclassified heat from powered
equipment. Additionally, one in 10
(11 percent) of these fires was determined
to have been caused by an unclassified
heat source.
Approximately three out of four (76 percent)
fires in these properties began in the
kitchen or cooking area, accounting for
60 percent of the civilian injuries and 17
percent of the direct property damage. Bedrooms
(3 percent) and other sleeping areas
(2 percent) together accounted for 5 percent
of the fires. These fires were associated
with just over one-quarter (26 percent) of
the civilian injuries and 16 percent of the
direct property damage. Smaller shares of
the fires in these properties originated in
lavatories or bathrooms, assembly areas,
and storage areas.
The properties in this report are
identified in the National Fire Incident
Reporting System (NFIRS) with property
use codes 460-469 and are collectively
referred to in this report as dormitory-type
properties. Estimates in this report were
derived from NFIRS and the NFPA fire
experience survey.
TUCKER MCGREE is a research analyst in the
Research Division at NFPA.
occupancies, with
smaller shares of the
fires occurring in
barracks, dormitory
properties, and sorority
or fraternity houses.
Approximately three
out of four fires in these
properties began in the
kitchen or cooking area.
Cooking equipment was
involved in nearly nine
out of 10 fires.
Unattended equipment
was the most
common factor contributing
to the ignition of
these fires.
Approximately nine
out of 10 fires (88 percent)
were classified as
confined fires that did
not extend beyond the
object of origin.
Saturday and Sunday
were the peak days for
these fires. However,
fires that occurred on
weekdays accounted
for larger shares
of injuries.
The peak time of day
for fires in dormitory-type
properties was
between 4 p.m. and
midnight when over half
of the fires occurred.
Fires were least likely
to occur between midnight
and 8 a.m., but
these fires accounted
for a greater share of
the injuries and direct
property damage.
February, September,
and October were the
peak months for fires in
dormitory-type properties,
while the fewest
number of fires were
recorded in June
and July.
NFPA Journal - Fall 2023

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